[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 71 (Friday, April 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 18725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7014]



[[Page 18725]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Cidra-Cayey Connector, Puerto 
Rico

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for the Cidra-
Cayey Connector in the east center area of Puerto Rico. The purpose of 
the EIS is to provide information and analyses for decisions on the 
project in accordance with the policies and purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F[eacute]lix Rodr[iacute]guez, P.E., 
Federal Highway Administration, Puerto Rico Division, 350 Carlos 
Chardon Street, Suite 210, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918, Telephone (787) 
766-5600 Ext. 230; or Ms. Irma Garc[iacute]a, P.E., Programming and 
Special Studies Area, Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority, 
PO Box 42007, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00940-2007, Telephone (787) 729-
1580.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public 
Works (PRDTPW), through its Highway and Transportation Authority (HTA), 
will prepare a joint environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal 
to construct a new roadway in the municipality of Cidra. The proposed 
action consists of the construction of a new roadway which will provide 
the municipality of Cidra and bordering districts with an access from 
Cidra to PR-52. The new highway will begin in existing PR-7733 and end 
in PR-52 or PR-184, depending on the alternative that will be selected 
during the environmental process. The route will have partial access 
control.
    A State, non-Federal, Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
was prepared for the proposed project in the year 2000 and public 
hearings were held in the same year. Since the 2000, technical studies 
identified environmental and socio-economic factors which warranted the 
consideration of additional alternatives beyond the ones studied for 
the original preferred alternative presented in the DEIS. As a result, 
the FHWA in cooperation with the PRHTA will prepare an EIS.
    Alternatives under consideration include: No-Build; Transportation 
System Management (TSM) activities; upgrade existing roadways; Mass 
Transit; and five alignment alternatives to construct a new roadway on 
a new location. The new alignment of the road is necessary to relieve 
traffic congestion along existing PR-172 and in areas which have 
experienced a traffic increase such as the PR-7733 and PR-787.
    As part of the scoping process, Federal, State, and local agencies, 
private organizations, citizens and interest groups will have an 
opportunity to identify issues of concern and provide input on the 
purpose and need for the project, range of alternatives, methodology, 
and the development of the EIS. A public coordination plan will be 
developed. This plan will utilize the following outreach efforts to 
provide information and request input: newsletters, an internet Web 
site, e-mail and direct mail, informational meetings and briefings, 
public hearings, and other efforts, as necessary and appropriate. A 
public hearing will be held upon completion of the DEIS. The DEIS will 
be available for public and agency review and comments prior to the 
public hearings.
    To ensure that the full range of issues and alternatives related to 
this proposed action is addressed and all significant issues 
identified, comments and suggestions are invited from interested 
parties. Comments or questions concerning this proposed action, the EIS 
and Section 106 consultation should be directed to FHWA at the address 
provided above.

(Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: April 5, 2007.
F[eacute]lix Rodr[iacute]guez-Soto,
Puerto Rico Assistant Division Administrador.
 [FR Doc. E7-7014 Filed 4-12-07; 8:45 am]
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